Cooper Boating Review

Just finished an amazing 5 day, 6 night "Cruise and Learn" on their 38 foot Lagoon Catamaran sv Stray Cat. We chartered the whole boat as we also brought the kids, and hired an instructor through Coopers. THE EXPERIENCE WAS PHENOMINAL, and we will be doing the rest of our courses through them as well. Everyone ivolved is passionate about what they do, and it shows in their opperation. Our captain was fantastic. Very enthusiastic, dedicated, thoroughly knowledgeable and driven to instruct. We could not have gotten more out of our week on their boat. Highly recommended from both my wife and myself.

We have not personally used Coopers Boating Rentals, but we hear amazing things, and they have been around for years.

My boating experience was on 'Infinity', the Aquila 44 power cat. What an amazing vessel, well equipped, and so comfy overnight and for entertaining guests. Excellent service by Colin, Genny, and the staff at Cooper Boating.

Our experience with Cooper Boating has been outstanding. The folks at Cooper Boating are extremely knowledgable and are able to assist with all our boating needs.

In my opinion that's the best place in Vancouver to charter a sailboat. They also have the best sailing club for keelboat sailing/cruising - Jibset.

Boat was in awful shape. Staff were surly and unapologetic, actively arguing our bad experience with us. Way better charter companies on our beautiful west coast. Don t let these poor business people spoil your vacation.

Best Charter ever! Labour day weekend dream on a beautifully set up Beneteau 40. Very well set up, down to garlic press and great bedding.
I've chartered many places in the world, but none of the boats were as well maintained and Cooper staff were great to deal with.

The Good: Instructor was Les who is a seasoned sailor. He taught some more useful tips like how to be hove to / heave to in case of MOB. Rather than professional sailor figure 8 tacks and jibes that are way too complicated for new sailors. Also, just turn on your motor and go get them! This course is a fun, more expensive, way to get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Otherwise just get it online for $50.

The Bad: Otherwise super basic course on rinky dink boats. I described my skill level and goals to the person booking and asked which course I should take. They suggested the fun-damentals type crew beginner course. I should have been more patient for an opening at a more serious sailing school.

We took the power boat course and the instructor was very informative and extremely knowledgable. His instructional technique was very professional. A big thanks to John!!!

Saying that, the reason I am giving Cooper boating 1 star is because the management and admin staff is appalling. Talking to the staff members from the start was a nightmare.

After paying for the 5 day course (very expensive for two) we were given the WRONG start times, that was sent in an email and verbally confirmed by one of the staff members by phone, no information about what to bring and what was needed. We arrived 6 hours before the actual boarding time.

Reading and study material was a joke we only received 1 of 2 books to study prior the course and the copy we did receive was a copy of a copy the writing was so blurred we could not make out the icons, word and writing.

Third day into the course the instructor advised us to start studying the 2nd part of the course (2nd book) we couldn't be cause we never received them.

The boat we were on was way too small for 5 people including the Captain, the sewage holding tank stunk so bad during the 5 days I ended getting sick with bronchitis.

After the course I contacted Cooper boating in regards to these issues, books, time, size of the boat, and the excuses I received was outrageous. I asked the reason why we didn't receive the correct reading materials, their excuse was they DON'T send out the second book (I just dont have time to write out the whole story on why they couldn't) but the answers I received ranged from, they don't print them, to a computer glitch for the electronic PDF.

The staff have blown us off and refused to address the issues and refused to return the calls after stating they would. They have lied about the reasons blaming everyone else and equipment problems.

After many attempts to rectify these issues I highly recommend NOT to use this company for any of your training or courses. Your are better of to going to another company. This was a complete waste of money for the quality service from the management side.

Several major boat systems seriously worn out beyond reason and/or totally unserviceable. Rode splice to chain worn down to less than 1/3 strands (see picture). Headsail furling line worn through sheath and into core. Bow roller seized and worn to axle pin. Electric windlass did not work for more than 10 seconds before blowing circuit breaker on every raise. Systems monitor panel not functional. No way to monitor fuel or water state. Essential safety gear not useable (man overboard marker was permanently lashed to stancheons!). Lifesling UV deterioration so bad it was literally disintegrating. Oven would not remain lit. Electrical systems intermittent (there is a light in the head that remains on, no matter what!). Ditching kit light beacon totally fallen apart with no batteries. No line for secondary anchor.
After providing a careful debrief to the dock manager, he assured me the owner / manager would be in touch to discuss the condition of the boat and my dissatisfaction. No call ever received.
Workers refuse to put me in contact with the manager or owner of the company to follow up on unsatisfactory boat condition after three attempts by me to contact them.
The boat (40 Beneteau Claire Elise) is offered for charter within 10% of the price of 90% of the rest of Cooper s fleet, but the condition was totally unacceptable.
Heavy wear and tear is expected on a charter boat, but I expect all systems to function, ESPECIALLY SAFETY RELATED GEAR.
Mostly because of the companies arrogance and refusal to discuss my dissatisfaction, I would never recommend Cooper Boating to a friend.

One week charter of Bavaria 50. Cooper Boating is a first class operation thanks to the dedication of Genny and Craig in particular. They helped me determine which boat would suit my needs and those of my family; they helped me with my itinerary, parking, provisioning and even laid on an instructor for a day to get me started. When we had a problem with the windless, they responded by phone immediately and we were up and running. Thanks! I will be back.

Amazing weekend with my girlfriend for my 50th Birthday. We had Les as a skipper and teacher on the Dufour365. We lucked in an the weather and wind was fabulous all weekend. Les took us up Howe Sound to Gibson and anchored in a quiet harbor on Gambier. My girlfriend cooked amazing meals to keep our skipper well fed :). Would recommend Les and the Coopers staff to anyone. Thanks for the great memories!

I had an exceptionally good experience learning about sailing at Cooper Boating. I took the crew course a couple of years ago and recently the skipper course. I also had the experience of a couple of mentored practice sessions. The teachers seem truly dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate about sailing. You learn not only the basics of how to sail, but also safety issues, how to navigate around other boats and fundamentals of how to maintain and run a boat. The mentors are patient and extremely generous in sharing what they know There seem to be a wide range of types of people and all ages in the courses and the different clubs. They have a number of clubs that allow people to keep learning and practicing by sailing with others. There is a spirit of generosity at Cooper Boating. I highly recommend this company for any level or any age, if you want an opportunity to sail. Cost is very reasonable.

Karen J. Vancouver